The Royal Hunt For The Sun (1969)

[Scott]

THE ROYAL HUNT FOR THE SUN (1969) - This is an interesting film about Spanish explorer Pizzaro and the Incas god/king Atahualpa. Christopher Plummer plays the role of Atahualpa really strangely. It borders on being a very religious film as well as some of the historic content. They shot the film in Peru and Spain. I haven't seen APOCALYPTCO (2006) yet, but I'm sure this is the better of the two. Check this out for sure if you get the chance. I really enjoyed it.

  (8 out of 10 Stars) It seems that this is also a famous theatrical play.

[Snivelly]

I've seen the theater version several times with varying degrees of quality!  It's a good story, and I have to confess I had no idea a movie had been made of it.  Off to NetFlix I go..........

[Scott]

I'd love to see the play Snivelly and Netflix does have a copy for all who are interested. The idea that Pizzaro was curious about the Sun God's son Atahualpa. This part must be pure fiction, but it makes for an interesting script.

Again Christopher Plummers portrayal of Atahualpa is unique to say the least.

[soylentgreen]

I have this baby on DVD.  I ordered it when I was working at Borders.  The print is s**t and though letterboxed, is not centered properly(!?!). 

Even more amazing(or, honestly, irritating!) is that the area around the letterboxed image, which is traditionally black, is an unctious sky-blue.  What on earth were they friggin thinking?

I rather like this film and it hurts to see it handled so glibly on disc.  Plummer's performance as you said is certainly unique.  I believe I read somewhere that Plummer was keen for the role of Pizarro, which he done on stage, and was pushing the envelope as Atahualpa on purpose.  I certainly can't speak to the veracity of that theory, but I've always seen Plummer as an actor not really afraid to try something different.  While a bit spacy, his performance does enhance the extreme differences in the cultures the story involves.

This film makes a good double-feature with CABEZA DE VACA, Nicolas Echevarria's poignant telling of one of the most intriguing episodes of the Conquista.  I recommend this film highly.  And note who "... Presents..." this film.  Who'd a thunk it?

[Scott]

My copy is from DVD Movie Premiere and it's full screen and above average transfer. Picked it up at FYE and I think SUNCOAST has the same one for about $5. Which is the same box cover as the image below.



And I'll keep a look out for CABEZA DE VACA Solentgreen. Thanks.

[BoyScoutKevin]

I've seen the theater version several times with varying degrees of quality!  It's a good story, and I have to confess I had no idea a movie had been made of it.  Off to NetFlix I go..........

As Snivelly says, it is based upon a play. The playwright being Peter Shaffer. The problem (IMHO) is that like alot of films based upon plays, is that it comes across as being stagebound. I don't remember them opening the film up that much.